One potential consequence of economic stress is a kind of PTSD, which psychologist Galen Buckwalter has termed Acute Financial Stress via findings in his research on the topic. Over the past month, AlterNet has produced a series of articles on AFS by Buckwalter, which has led to some interesting and robust discussions in the AlterNet comments section.

To broaden understanding, AlterNet conducted an interview with Buckwalter via email, which goes into more depth on his findings on AFS. Insights include what types of people are most susceptible to AFS, how inequality can contribute to it, what kind of effects AFS has on the body, and what to do about it.